Carla Thomas, EdD, ACC
Executive Coach
Dr. Carla Thomas is an organizational development scholar-practitioner, leadership consultant, and executive educator with more than a decade of experience partnering with institutions of higher education, healthcare systems, Fortune 500 organizations, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, organizational culture, and institutional effectiveness.
Currently serving as Senior Education Consultant in the Office of Caregiver Belonging at ChristianaCare Health System, Dr. Thomas leads enterprise-wide initiatives that enhance organizational culture, leadership effectiveness, and the experience of more than 15,000 caregivers. Her work integrates research, adult learning, and systems thinking to develop leaders who cultivate environments where people and organizations can thrive.
Throughout her consulting career, Dr. Thomas has partnered extensively with colleges and universities, academic medical centers, and executive leadership teams to design and facilitate leadership development programs, strategic planning initiatives, organizational assessments, and culture transformation efforts. Her approach combines evidence-informed practice with practical application, helping leaders navigate organizational complexity while strengthening collaboration, belonging, and institutional excellence.
In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Thomas has advised organizations across healthcare, technology, life sciences, financial services, retail, and consumer goods, including numerous Fortune 500 companies. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and facilitator recognized for translating research into engaging learning experiences that inspire meaningful organizational change.
A trusted executive coach, Dr. Thomas also holds a credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), complementing her expertise in leadership development with coaching practices that support individual and organizational growth.
Dr. Thomas has served on several advisory boards, including a federal appointment to the United States Naval War College’s Education for Seapower initiative and the University of Pennsylvania’s Chief Learning Officer doctoral program. She is an active member of the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Organizational Development Network, and the Inclusion Allies Coalition.
She earned her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from Saint Joseph’s University and Vanderbilt University. Her research examines the psychosocial factors that mitigate the effects of implicit bias in organizations, informing her work designing equitable, resilient, and human-centered systems for learning, leadership, and organizational transformation.